Work In Progress

I've made this violin model regularly over the last few years; it reliably produces a powerful and rich sound with a warm G string and sweet A. A friend of one of my cello customers came to see the last one I made before its new owner collected it, and I'm happy to say she liked it enough to order one for herself. So I've now started work. As ever, I start with the ribs, thin strips of maple bent round the mould. When all the ribs are glued in place, I fit the linings, small strips of spruce … [Read more...]

There's a lot of demand at present for my smaller rental violas, which offer a true viola sound and response for younger players and adults alike. This one is already earmarked for a talented young player, for when she outgrows the 13 1/4 inch viola her family is renting from me at present. I've started by preparing the back and the front. They are made from solid pieces of wood, in this instance some lovely, high quality Swiss spruce for the front and poplar for the back. Poplar is a good … [Read more...]

I've had an exciting invitation; to take part in Klanggestalten, an exhibition of violin and bow makers that takes place over a weekend in Berlin each autumn. It's an honour to be asked to participate, so I am busy making the instruments I will show. I wanted to highlight the specialities of my work, which are all about making instruments that feel really inviting to play, both musically and physically, and of course this often involves violas. I decided to return to a model that has been … [Read more...]

This is the third and final instrument I'm making to exhibit at Klanggestalten, the exhibition in Berlin that takes place in October every year. I'm lucky to have been asked to participate this year. I gave a lot of thought to what to make, as I wanted to highlight what I think is special about my work. As I often undertake personalised commissions, sometimes to suit someone who finds standard sized instruments uncomfortable, I thought I'd reflect that by making a slightly undersized … [Read more...]

This is the largest viola I normally make. I drew up the design some years ago, based on the Gasparo da Salo tenor viola in the Ashmolean Museum. That's a very large instrument, so I redrew it to what is a more comfortable size. This one is a commission from a pupil at Chetham's School of Music. He's been hiring a Maurice Bouette viola from me for the last year, and is excited that he'll be having his own custom-made viola soon. As ever, I've started by making the ribs, strips of maple … [Read more...]

This viola is a commission from an adult violinist who also plays the viola and wanted an instrument that would be easy to swap around with. This should fit the bill perfectly as it feels just like a full size violin. Graham has already spent some time with an earlier viola of mine of this size so he's sure he'll be happy with the size. This is lovely for me; his partner has had one of my cellos since he was a pupil at Chetham's, so the connection goes back a long way. We spent some time … [Read more...]

I had the chance to measure this violin several years ago. It was then in the collection of the Royal Northern College of Music, and I was involved in a a project to make a copy of it to add to the college's collection of loan instruments. The copy was made jointly with three other violin makers, and I've made it myself three times before. It's an instrument I like; player friendly as are all Guadagnini's instruments. It has well rounded upper bouts which makes it easy to reach high … [Read more...]

I love the beginning of January. When my Dad was alive he always made us laugh by making comments about 'getting back to normal' when we visited; he was a keen model engineer and liked nothing better than spending time in his workshop where he made exquisite model trains and engines. As I get older I have to admit the family resemblance! So, new year, new viola. This one is a lovely commission; Olga has been playing my smaller violas for nearly eight years, starting with a 14 1/4 inch viola … [Read more...]

It's lovely to have the opportunity of making one of my favourite violin models again. This is a special commission; in 2020 I made the same model for the elder brother of the prospective owner of this one, and now it is the turn of his younger sibling. I really do hope they won't fight over which one they prefer! As ever, I've started with making the ribs. As I'm using a one-piece back, there was enough wood in the slab of wood I started with to saw off a wedge which I could then cut down … [Read more...]

This viola is a commission from a young player who starts at Purcell School in the autumn. He's been renting violas from me for five years and is now ready for his 'forever' viola. At the moment he's playing a large Maurice Bouette viola which I put into good working order a couple of years ago, so we know that he will be happy with this generously sized instrument, and that he'll benefit from its rich and powerful sound. The model is based on a Gasparo da Salo. Gasparo was one of the … [Read more...]